Technology generations revisited: The internet generation

Abstract

This article identifies the practices and formation processes of technology generations. To that end the question is examined whether a new internet generation can be identified in relation to the previous known other generations characterized by mechanical technology, household revolution, a technology spread, and computers. This study used the ICT data set from the Statistical Bureau of Germany, survey waves 2004 and 2009. Logistic regression techniques were used for the analysis. The analysis evaluated if the four existing technology generations are still marked by the ‘first-level digital divide’ (differences in possession) and the ‘second-level digital divide’ (different modes of usage). We found that in 2009 there were still significant differences between technology generations in private internet use. The emergence of a new generation, distinct from the computer generation was investigated. The evidence supports the view that a new internet generation has indeed emerged as significant differences between these generations (‘computer’ and ‘internet’) exist with regard to the two levels of digital divide.